Yervant Terzian

Yervant Terzian (February 9, 1939 – November 25, 2019) was an American astronomer. He was the Tisch Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Cornell University's Department of Astronomy, which he chaired between 1979 and 1999. In 2002 he was elected chairman of the US SKA Consortium.

Research Terzian's research focused on the physics of the interstellar medium, galaxies, and radio astronomy. They had a daughter, Tamar, and a son, Sevan. His second wife was Patricia E. Fernandez de Castro Martinez, and president of the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County.

Terzian died at his home in Ithaca, New York, on November 25, 2019, after a long illness. He was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Ithaca.

Philanthropy Terzian was also a philanthropist. He founded Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF ), a project that is part of the Fund for Armenian Relief. He was its chairman since 2001.

Recognition In 2009 a documentary was made by Friends of Astronomy at Cornell on Terzian's 70th anniversary. In September 2017 a conference room was named after Terzian in Cornell's Spaces Sciences Building "in recognition of his many years of leadership, scholarship and citizenship to Cornell."

Awards Gold Medal of the Ministry of Science and Education of Armenia (2008) NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal (2018), NASA's highest civilian award, "For sustained and exceptional public service by integrating research and education in space science over several decades."

Honorary degrees Terzian received honorary doctorates from a number of universities: Indiana University (1989), Yerevan State University (1994), University of Thessaloniki (1997), Union College (1999).